The House Majority Whip Report so perfectly explains how I have operated throughout my business and political life that I will quote it for the beginning of my weekly report.
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! Has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
This quote is from President Calvin Coolidge.
The last night before “Crossover Day” we did not come too close to the old days with the late Speaker Murphy who stopped only at midnight; but 9 p.m. seemed kind of late.
Feb. 26 and 29 were very busy days in the House passing 99 bills and resolutions. There were a few bills which passed and are important enough to give special emphasis.
H.B. 499 provides for the use of speed monitoring cameras in school zones.
H.B. 736 establishes a special license plate promoting marine habitat conservation.
H.B. 654 requires notification to the public that a tattoo may disqualify a person from being accepted as a soldier, sailor or airman in the U.S. military.
H.B. 951 this legislation provides a sales and use tax exemption for admission to major sporting events.
H.B. 979 increases the penalty for the offense of aggravated assault on hospital emergency and medical services personnel when those individuals are in the performance of their duty.
H.B. 991 This legislation provides that a tax commissioner shall waive the collection of penalties and interest resulting from a default on ad valorem taxes when that tax commissioner can determine that a default was due to a taxpayer’s active duty military service in a combat zone and the taxpayer makes full payment within 60 days of returning from active duty.
H.B. 12 makes it unlawful for any individual, with the intent to secure a tangible benefit for him, to make a false statement that he is a member of the military.
H.B. 229 expands the grandparent’s visitation statute to include great-grandparents, aunts and uncles.
H.B. 722 allows for manufacturers of low THC oil to ship low THC oil to a person properly registered with the Department of Public Health in Georgia. This bill expands the list of conditions for which low THC oil can be administered by including autism, HIV, Tourette’s syndrome, terminal illness and post-traumatic stress disorder.
H.B. 727 regulates where and when fireworks can be exploded. The bill allows for fireworks to be exploded between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The bill extends the times which fireworks may be exploded on Jan. 1, July 3 and 4 and Dec. 31.
H.B. 779 regulates the use of drones in Georgia.
H.B. 825 requires the child welfare agency to notify the Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program if it is determined that suspected child abuse has involved a military parent or guardian.
We have 9 days left in the 40 day session. During the week of March 7-11 many of us will be qualifying for re-election. I plan to run this last time for two years. Then I plan to write a book about the Great Depression, my World War II experiences in Europe and 35 years working for Ford Motor Company.
I can be reached in my office at Room 217 State Capitol each day at 404-656-5126 and I can also be reached before 8:00PM at my home at 770-227-1474. I can also be reached by email at John.Yates@house.ga.gov.
